HSC and Equivalent Exam Results Published: Lowest Pass Rate in 20 Years

 PNN News Desk | Dhaka:
This year’s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examination results have sparked widespread discussion across the country’s education sector. Education experts have expressed shock over the unexpectedly poor performance, calling it one of the weakest results in two decades.

Education Adviser Professor Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar stated, “For years, the real crisis in education was hidden behind artificially inflated results, but this year’s outcome has revealed the true picture.”

He made these remarks on Thursday (October 16) during a briefing held at the Secretariat. Professor Abrar also noted that the government cannot avoid accountability for the current crisis in the education system.

He further said, “This result has created an opportunity for self-reflection. We must identify the reasons behind such poor performance and find swift solutions. For the welfare of students, the marks awarded this year reflect their actual performance — but the resulting shock is undoubtedly concerning.”

Regarding the ongoing movement of MPO-listed teachers, Professor Abrar mentioned that the government is actively working to increase their housing allowance, which is expected to be implemented soon.

Meanwhile, Dr. Khondoker Ehsanul Kabir, Chairman of the Bangladesh Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee and Chairman of the Dhaka Education Board, said that this year’s HSC results have exposed the harsh reality of the education system. He remarked, “Students have become increasingly detached from their study habits, and this has become a major challenge for parents.”

Additionally, English and ICT have been identified as the subjects with the highest failure rates. The pass rate in English has dropped from 77% to 58%, marking the lowest in 20 years, which experts see as a serious warning sign for the nation’s education system.

The HSC results were released simultaneously at 10 a.m. on Thursday across nine general education boards, as well as madrasa and technical education boards. This year’s overall pass rate is 58.83%, the lowest in recent years, according to official sources.

The outcome has raised new questions about the state of the education system, prompting calls for collective reflection and reform from students, teachers, parents, and policymakers alike.